Most popular song seems to be written in a few keys. I have a friend who took a composition class where he learned that key choice is likely a compromise between the instruments involved and the vocalists's range.
If horns or woodwinds are involved there's bias towards flat keys. If guitars are heavily involved there's a bias toward sharp keys. (Once a year this friend attends a bluegrass festival and he claims its 3 days in the key of G,D,A and E) And then some key players prefer to keep it simple with one or two sharps or flats.
I've heard from a pianist that they like to write in Eb -- it just sounds good to them, but then they change the key to make it easier on the band's guitar players.
I don't generally see anything in Ab till I get into some jazz piece.
Could someone discuss or verify the compromises/dynamics at work here.
instruments, songs and key choice
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- KVRAF
- 2217 posts since 15 Jul, 2003
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- KVRian
- 1084 posts since 12 Sep, 2008 from Your basement
I think you've covered it. A vocalist might need to favor one key over the other depending on range, tessitura, etc. Instrument issues govern key selections too. Acoustic guitars sound good with lots of open strings ringing. Db is a great key for dark, romantic pieces on the piano. Chopin liked Db, Eb, and C#min because the floaty, sonorous qualities a piano has.
E could work for 'cello, but not as well as F because of the low C string which provides the dominant.
My dog likes F#min.
E could work for 'cello, but not as well as F because of the low C string which provides the dominant.
My dog likes F#min.
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- KVRAF
- 7837 posts since 20 Jan, 2008
Fretted instruments open strings have a somewhat direct correlation to choice of key.
Guitarists banjo players mandolin etc learn open chords first.
Open chords are generally easier on the fingers for newer players and sustain the longest.
Contrary to popular belief everyone learns something in C if they take lessons. C is the easist key to learn when you study notation for instruments capable of harmony.
Just as guitarists tend to sicken of E after a while because so many lessons are demonstrated. Keyboard players tend to tire of C.
The pop romantic keys of the 30's 40's and 50's Are slightly flat keys. F, Bb, Eb, Contrary to popular belief Chuck Berry did not right the Music to Johnny B Goode. Jimmy Johnson his keyboard player did which is why it's in Bb.
Folk, pop folk, Bluegrass are written in more keys then meet the ear. Capo's don't just change the key they also sweeten the tone. The beatles "Here Comes the Sun" wouldn't sound as pristine if written in the original key without a capo. It's in Bb The capo gives brightness to a key not known for brightness.
Those who teach rock/blues guitar for long periods of time usually find themselves loosing familarity with many keys. This is because the easiest and fasted way for a student to learn something is in E or A.
Guitarists banjo players mandolin etc learn open chords first.
Open chords are generally easier on the fingers for newer players and sustain the longest.
Contrary to popular belief everyone learns something in C if they take lessons. C is the easist key to learn when you study notation for instruments capable of harmony.
Just as guitarists tend to sicken of E after a while because so many lessons are demonstrated. Keyboard players tend to tire of C.
The pop romantic keys of the 30's 40's and 50's Are slightly flat keys. F, Bb, Eb, Contrary to popular belief Chuck Berry did not right the Music to Johnny B Goode. Jimmy Johnson his keyboard player did which is why it's in Bb.
Folk, pop folk, Bluegrass are written in more keys then meet the ear. Capo's don't just change the key they also sweeten the tone. The beatles "Here Comes the Sun" wouldn't sound as pristine if written in the original key without a capo. It's in Bb The capo gives brightness to a key not known for brightness.
Those who teach rock/blues guitar for long periods of time usually find themselves loosing familarity with many keys. This is because the easiest and fasted way for a student to learn something is in E or A.